Segeyaro close to joining the NRL's Sharks

Mar 17, 2017 - 3:35 AM James Segeyaro has cleared one of the final hurdles to him joining Cronulla, gaining clearance to train with Shane Flanagan's squad.

After being like a shag on a rock and forced to train by himself since late last year, the former Penrith hooker has been approved to train with the NRL premiers.

The club are now hopeful of signing Segeyaro as soon as possible; however, his contract dispute with Leeds continues to drag on.

He must receive a formal release from Leeds before he can play with Sharks, after walking out on the English Super League side at the end of the 2016 season.

He will train with the Sharks squad for the first time next week but it's unclear when he'll be available to play.

Flanagan said Segeyaro was likely to come back through NSW Cup having not played for six months.

"I haven't seen how his conditioning is," Flanagan said.

"He looks healthy and strong but it's a little bit different to being healthy and strong enough to play in the NRL.

"He'll start back next week and we'll see where he's at."

The impending arrival of Segeyaro clouds youngster Jayden Brailey's immediate future, with the 20-year-old assuming the No.9 jersey after the retirement of Michael Ennis.

However, Flanagan said Brailey remained a big part of their future plans having late last year re-signed him until 2020.

"It's not about Jayden, we think Jayden's a fantastic footballer, he's going to be a long-term hooker for us but he's not going to be able to play 26 rounds, semi-finals, play 80 minutes week in, week out," Flanagan said.

"We need some support around Jayden. Manaia Cherrington, and hopefully James Segeyaro, will give that support."

Meanwhile, Flanagan revealed fullback Valentine Holmes would make his first apperance of the season after sitting out the first two weeks due to a hamstring injury.

Flanagan was playing his cards close to his chest and would not reveal if Holmes or Jack Bird, who starred in the No.1 jersey against Canberra, would start at fullback.

"He'll start on Sunday, he got through last night 100 per cent," Flanagan said of Holmes.

"We could have pushed him last week but these sorts of injuries with athletes like Val, if he tears it again it's six weeks."

Outside back Gerard Beale is still a week away from returning from a hamstring strain.

Source: AAP